Jodie Foster Pulls Film From Sundance

Jodie Foster has withdrawn The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys from the Sundance lineup, apparently because the film could not be completed in time for its scheduled Jan. 24 premiere

Altar Boys, which Foster co-produced and in which she plays a one-legged nun overseeing a group of mischievous school boys, was set to air as the festival's Centerpiece Premiere. Instead, festivalgoers will be treated to the world premiere of Invisible Circus, which stars Cameron Diaz.

Altar Boys features extensive animation, which is far from being ready, Variety surmises. By missing Sundance, the movie may also miss out on a chance to find a distributor during the festival's routine dealmaking. The film also stars Jena Malone (Stepmom), Kieran Culkin (The Cider House Rules), and Vincent D'Onofrio (The Cell).

Invisible Circus, which co-stars Jordana Brewster (The Faculty), Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents), and Christopher Eccleston (Shallow Grave), was not originally slated to play at Sundance. It already has a distributor in Fine Line Features.